Change Request

NHS Information Authority

Data Standards and Information Programme

Reference: Change Request 324
Version No:1.13
Subject:DSCN 17/2003 - Legal Status Classification Codes for 'not applicable' & 'not known'
Type of Change:Revision to NHS Data Standards
Effective Date:1 October 2003
Reason for Change:To enable more accurate recording of patient information to satisfy data quality standards where patients do not fall into one of the existing categories of LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODES, codes of 'not applicable' and 'not known' have been included.

Background:

The NHS Data Dictionary previously did not have the provision for 'not applicable' or 'not known', but it did clearly state:

LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE 'The classification is required for all patients who have a HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL which includes the care of a CONSULTANT in the psychiatric specialities or have been discharged from such a HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL and are required to receive supervised aftercare under the provisions of the Mental Health (patients in the Community) Act 1995.'

To enable more accurate recording where patients do not fall into one of the existing categories, the provision to record a LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE of 'not applicable' and 'not known' has been included.

Summary of changes:
 
Data Elements
LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE   Change to Description

Name:Janet Powell
Date:27 January 2004
Sponsor:Data Information and Standards Programme

Note: Additions shown in highlighted with a blue background. Deletions are shown using strikeout.


LEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODE

Change to Data Element: Change to Description

Format/length: n2
HES item:
National Codes: Press Definition button for the National Codes
Default Codes: 98 - Not Applicable
99 - Not Known

Notes:
The classification is required for all patients who have a HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL which includes the care of a CONSULTANT in the psychiatric specialties or have been discharged from such a HOSPITAL PROVIDER SPELL and are required to received supervised aftercare under the provisions of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995.

Note that the term ‘informal’ is used for those patients who are neither formally detained nor receiving supervised aftercare.



This data element is also known by these names:
ContextAlias
pluralLEGAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION CODES


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e-mail: disp@nhsia.nhs.uk